Pair arraigned in Burlington mosque vandalism

BURLINGTON -- Two men were arrested and arraigned Monday in connection with vandalism at a local Muslim mosque early Sunday morning.

Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent announced at a 2:15 p.m. press conference that police arrested Cameron Capella and Derrik Demone, both 18 of Burlington, around 11:30 a.m. and charged them with malicious destruction of property worth more than $250, and tagging a building, following an act of vandalism committed in the early morning hours at the Islamic Center of Burlington at 130 Lexington St. A third party was also involved, Kent said, and that person's involvement is being investigated.

"This was a cowardly act by individuals who masked themselves," Kent said. He thanked the Islamic Center for its cooperation, as well as Burlington police detectives for their efforts, as well as the FBI and the Anti-Defamation League, who also assisted in the investigation.

Kent said police were able to identify Capella and Demone after viewing security-camera footage from the mosque. A detective recognized the Ford Crown Victoria and was able to track down one of the suspects at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday. The suspects then confessed to the vandalism, the chief said.

Both men were drinking prior to the act of vandalism, Kent said. Neither Demone nor Cappella had given a reason for their actions to police.

"USA" was spray-painted along the side of the building over the weekend.

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Police were notified of the incident Sunday at around 1:45 a.m. A similar incident occurred in 2013, when someone also spray-painted "USA" on the mosque's sign, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Kent said police could not confirm whether the incidents were linked.

At their arraignment in Woburn District Court later on Monday afternoon, Capella and Demone both entered not guilty pleas. Judge Cesar Archilla released the men on their own recognizance and ordered the defendants to stay away from the Islamic Center and to have no contact with the victims of the crime, any potential witnesses, and from each other. Capella and Demone are subject to a curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Friday, Dec. 11.

Outside the courthouse following the arraignment, Demone declined to tell reporters why he did what he allegedly did.

At the mosque on Monday morning, neighbors and worshippers expressed disappointment over what happened. Marty Barry of Troy, N.H., who works nearby and passes through the Islamic Center property on his daily run, said he perceived "USA" written on the walls as "an obvious message of hate."

"I love this country... but when I see that, I see how much more this country needs to work with dealing with our hate issues and trying to assimilate all cultures into this country, and hopefully live better in this world," said the 20-year Navy veteran.

Javed Malek, who was involved with the creation of the mosque in 2003 (the building was previously a Knights of Columbus hall), chalked the incident up to "a stupid prank."

"Kids are stupid," he said. "It could happen anywhere."

Abdul Ekaidat of Winthrop said he was shocked this had happened at his house of worship.

"What's the purpose of this happening?" he said. "We love the USA. We're here and we're living in peace. We're just trying to just make it here, you know what I'm saying? Like everybody else."

Malek, a 40-year Woburn resident, echoed Ekaidat's sentiment.

"I'm as American as apple pie," he said.

Munir Gandevia, president of the Islamic Center and a Burlington resident, said events like these are becoming the norm at his mosque. During the feast of Ramadan, there were four incidents of Islamaphobic behavior, including women and children being taunted in the parking lot.

"I cannot believe that people who were brought up in this country, with the education and the resources they have... are doing this thing," Gandevia said.

It was the 2013 incident when the mosque was last tagged that prompted the mosque to install security cameras, he said. The mosque is now considering installing gates at the entrance of the property and more cameras. Already, a security code must be used to enter the building when services are not in progress.

"What else can you do?" he said. "It's not the option that we would like to do, but... if it is an issue of safety, then I'd rather do that."

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